Electronic circuit for driving led strings including a plurality of regulation modules which function in sequence

ABSTRACT

An electronic circuit drives a plurality of LED strings connected in series. The electronic circuit includes a regulation module corresponding to each LED string, with the regulation module connected to the cathode terminal of the corresponding LED string. Each regulation module is further coupled to receive a reference voltage in phase with a rectified a.c. voltage. The regulation modules execute in turn and in sequence a current-regulation phase as a function of a trend of the reference voltage. Each regulation module, when executing the current-regulation phase, functions to regulate the current that flows in the corresponding LED string and in any previous LED strings in the series connection so that the regulated current is proportional to the reference voltage.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Italian Application for Patent No.102015000089452 filed Dec. 31, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit for driving lightemitting diode (LED) strings, which includes a plurality of regulationmodules that function in sequence.

BACKGROUND

As is known, LED sources are increasingly widespread since they arecharacterized, among other things, by a high energy efficiency and a lowpower consumption given the same light yield.

LED sources require driving circuits capable of supplying low-voltaged.c. currents. For this reason, in the case where it is desired tosupply an LED source through the electrical mains supply, it isnecessary to use, within the driving circuit, a switching converter,such as for example a converter of a buck, boost, or flyback type.

The use of switching converters is particularly indicated in the case ofprofessional applications, i.e., in the case of applications where thelevel of power required is relatively high (for example, higher than 50W), and where the constraints regarding the package and installation arenot stringent. Instead, in the case of applications, for example, in adomestic setting, the power required is low, and integration ofswitching converters in the driving circuits is problematic since theconstructional constraints regarding the LED sources, for example asregards the corresponding plugs, are stringent.

As an alternative to the use of switching converters, less complexsolutions have been proposed, also known as AC-LEDs. These solutionshave some aspects in common, such as for example: the presence of arectifier circuit; the presence of a plurality of LED strings, eachstring being formed by a corresponding number of LEDs connected inseries; and the presence of one or more modules, which regulate thecurrent that flows in the strings as a function of the value of thesinusoidal mains voltage. An example of driving circuit of an AC-LEDtype is described in United States Patent Application Publication No.2013/0257282 (EP 2645816) (incorporated by reference).

In greater detail, typically a driving circuit of an AC-LED type isconfigured so that, as the sinusoidal mains voltage increases, thenumber of LED strings connected in series increases, and consequentlyalso the number of LEDs turned on. Furthermore, as the number of LEDsturned on grows, the driving circuit increases the regulated current.More in particular, the increases in current occur according to discretelevels; the current thus remains constant for a certain time interval,before increasing to the next level. The number of current levels isequal to the number of LED strings.

This having been said, driving circuits of the so-called AC-LED type areeffectively characterized by a high constructional simplicity; however,they provide only a fairly good performance in terms of power factor andharmonic distortion, on account of the stepwise currents generated bythem.

There is a need in the art to provide an electronic driving circuit thatwill overcome at least in part the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an electronic circuit for driving a plurality of LEDstrings connected in a cascade, each LED string including an anodeterminal and a cathode terminal, comprises: a plurality of regulationmodules, wherein each regulation module is configured to be electricallycoupled, in use, to the cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string,and each regulation module further configured to be electrically coupledto receive a reference voltage in phase with a rectified mains voltageand having an amplitude smaller than an amplitude of said rectifiedmains voltage; and wherein said regulation modules are configured toexecute in turn a current-regulation phase, with the current-regulationphases of said regulation modules occurring in sequence as a function ofa trend of the reference voltage; and wherein each regulation module isconfigured so that, when said regulation module executes thecurrent-regulation phase, current that flows in the corresponding LEDstring and in the previous LED strings is regulated so that it isproportional to the reference voltage.

In an embodiment, an electronic circuit is provided for driving aplurality of LED strings connected in series, each LED string includinga respective anode terminal and a respective cathode terminal. Theelectronic circuit comprises: a plurality of regulation modules, whereineach regulation module is configured to be electrically coupled, in use,to the cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string; a referencecircuit configured to receive a rectified mains voltage and to generatea reference voltage in phase with said rectified mains voltage and withan amplitude smaller than the amplitude of said rectified mains voltage,said reference voltage applied to each of said regulation modules; andwherein said regulation modules are configured to execute in turn and insequence a current-regulation phase as a function of a trend of thereference voltage; and wherein each regulation module is configuredduring execution of said current-regulation phase to regulate a currentflowing in the corresponding LED string as well as in previous LEDstrings in the series connection so that the regulated current isproportional to the reference voltage.

In an embodiment, an electronic circuit for driving a first LED stringand a second LED string connected in series comprises: a first resistor;a first regulation circuit having a first input coupled to a cathodeterminal of the first LED string and a first output coupled to the firstresistor and a second output, said first regulation circuit including afirst drive transistor coupled the first input of the first regulationcircuit, a first control circuit configured to generate a first feedbackvoltage at the second output as a function of a voltage across the firstresistor and a current flowing through the first drive transistor and asecond control circuit configured to control the first drive transistoras a function of the first feedback voltage and a reference voltage; anda second regulation circuit having a first input coupled to a cathodeterminal of the second LED string and a second input coupled to thesecond output of the first regulation circuit and a first output coupledto the first resistor, said second regulation circuit including a seconddrive transistor coupled the first input of the second regulationcircuit, a third control circuit configured to generate a secondfeedback voltage as a function of the first feedback voltage and acurrent flowing through the second drive transistor and a fourth controlcircuit configured to control the second drive transistor as a functionof the second feedback voltage and the reference voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, preferredembodiments thereof are now described, purely by way of non-limitingexample and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of an opto-electronic circuit including adriving circuit;

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the driving circuit;

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a circuit designed to generate areference voltage;

FIG. 4 shows examples of time plots of signals generated in the circuitillustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of a differential amplifier;

FIG. 6 shows time plots of voltages and currents generated in anembodiment of the electronic driving circuit;

FIG. 7 shows plots of total currents generated in a driving circuit of aknown type and in an embodiment of the driving circuit; and

FIG. 8 shows a circuit diagram of an electronic system comprising a pairof electronic driving circuits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an opto-electronic circuit 1 that may be electricallycoupled to the electric power mains 2 through a rectifier 4, made up,for example, of a rectifier of the diode-bridge type, also known asGraetz-bridge rectifier. In this connection, the rectifier 4 comprises afirst input terminal I₁ and a second input terminal I₂, which arerespectively connected to the electric power mains 2, and a first outputterminal O₁ and a second output terminal O₂. The second output terminalO₂ is connected to ground.

The opto-electronic circuit 1 further comprises a plurality of LEDstrings; purely by way of example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1comprises four LED strings, designated, respectively, by D1, D2, D3, andD4.

Each LED string is of a per se known type; consequently, even though notshown in detail, each of the first, second, third, and fourth LEDstrings D1, D2, D3, and D4 may comprise a respective number of LEDs,connected together in series.

In general, the first, second, third, and fourth LED strings D1, D2, D3,and D4 may be different from one another. Furthermore, each of theaforementioned LED strings forms a respective first terminal and arespective second terminal, referred to hereinafter as the anodeterminal and the cathode terminal. In fact, each LED string isconfigured to be traversed by a current directed from the respectiveanode terminal to the respective cathode terminal only if the voltagepresent between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal exceeds acorresponding (positive) threshold voltage. In what follows thethreshold voltages of the first, second, third, and fourth LED stringsD1, D2, D3, D4 are referred to, respectively, as the first, second,third, and fourth threshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2), V_(th3), V_(th4).

In greater detail, the anode terminal of the first LED string D1 isconnected to the first output terminal O₁ of the rectifier 4.Furthermore, the first, second, third, and fourth LED strings D1, D2,D3, D4 are cascaded in series to one another. In fact, the cathodeterminal of the first LED string D1 forms a first node N₁, connected towhich is the anode terminal of the second LED string D2. The cathodeterminal of the second LED string D2 forms a second node N₂, connectedto which is the anode terminal of the third LED string D3. The cathodeterminal of the third LED string D3 forms a third node N₃, connected towhich is the anode terminal of the fourth LED string D4. The cathodeterminal of the fourth LED string D4 forms a fourth node N₄.

The opto-electronic circuit 1 further comprises an electronic drivingcircuit 10 and a resistor 12, referred to hereinafter as the externalresistor 12. The external resistor 12 has a resistance R_(rext), whichis for example equal to 30Ω.

In FIG. 1, the electronic driving circuit 10 is represented by acorresponding principle block diagram, instead of by the correspondingcircuit diagram, which is shown in FIG. 2, to which the reader isreferred for the details of implementation. This having been said, theelectronic driving circuit 10 comprises a module for generating anelectrical reference quantity, referred to hereinafter as the referencegenerator 14. Further, the electronic driving circuit 10 comprises acontrol module 16 and a first regulator REG1, a second regulator REG2, athird regulator REG3, and a fourth regulator REG4, which are controlledby the control module 16 and supply to the latter quantities indicatingcurrents regulated by them. Furthermore, each of the first, second,third, and fourth regulators REG1, REG2, REG3, REG4 has a respectivefirst terminal and a respective second terminal. The first terminals ofthe first, second, third, and fourth regulators REG1, REG2, REG3, REG4are connected respectively to the first, second, third, and fourth nodesN₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, whereas the respective second terminals are connected toa first terminal of the external resistor 12, the second terminal ofwhich is connected to ground. In addition, as illustrated qualitativelyin FIG. 1, the first input terminal of the external resistor 12 isconnected to the control module 16 for enabling a feedback control, asdescribed hereinafter.

As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3, the reference generator 14comprises a voltage divider 20, a peak detector 22, a divider 24, amultiplier 26, and a normalization circuit 33.

The voltage divider 20 comprises a pair of resistors 30, 32, referred tohereinafter as the first and second division resistors 30, 32. The firstterminal of the first division resistor 30 is connected to the firstoutput terminal O₁ of the rectifier 4, whereas the second terminal ofthe first division resistor 30 is connected to the first terminal of thesecond division resistor 32, with which it forms a fifth node N₅. Thesecond terminal of the second division resistor 32 is connected toground.

The peak detector 22 comprises a diode 34, the anode of which isconnected to the fifth node N₅, and the cathode of which forms a sixthnode N₆. The peak detector 22 further comprises a capacitor 36 and aresistor 38, referred to hereinafter as the output resistor 38. Thecapacitor 36 and the output resistor 38 are connected in parallelbetween the sixth node N₆ and ground. In practice, the anode of thediode 34 and the sixth node N₆ form the input and the output of the peakdetector 22, respectively.

The divider 24 is formed by an electronic circuit of a per se known type(not described in detail), which is designed to generate, on its ownoutput, a voltage signal equal to 1/x, where x is a voltage signalpresent on its own input, as described in greater detail hereinafter.The input of the divider 24 is connected to the output of the peakdetector 22.

The multiplier 26 is formed by a corresponding electronic circuit of aper se known type (not described in detail), which includes a firstinput and a second input and is apt to generate on its own output avoltage signal equal to the product of the voltage signals present onits own first and second inputs. For instance, even though notillustrated, the multiplier 26 may be formed by a so-called Gilbertmultiplier. In this case, it is possible for the divider 24 and themultiplier 26 to be implemented with a single circuit scheme.Furthermore, the first and second inputs of the multiplier 26 areconnected to the fifth node N₅ and to the output of the divider 24,respectively. The output of the multiplier 26 is connected to the inputof the normalization circuit 33, the output of which forms a seventhnode N₇. In turn, the seventh node N₇ forms the output of the referencegenerator 14.

In use, present on the first output terminal O₁ of the rectifier 4, andthus at input to the reference generator 14, is a voltage V_(in), whichis formed by a rectified double-half-wave sinusoidal voltage, and is inphase with the voltage supplied by the electric power mains 2. Thus,present on the fifth node N₅ is a voltage V_(part), which is equal tok·V_(in), where k is the division ratio introduced by the voltagedivider 20, which may, for example, be equal to 0.0067. Furthermore,present on the sixth node N₆, and thus at output from the peak detector22, is a voltage V_(peak), which is a rectified voltage and has a plotof the type represented in FIG. 4. For reasons of simplicity, for thepurposes of the present description, it is assumed that the voltageV_(peak) is constant and equal to the peak value of the voltageV_(part).

The divider 24 generates a voltage equal to 1/V_(peak), whereas presentat output from the multiplier 26 is a voltage equal toV_(part)/V_(peak). Furthermore, the normalization circuit 33 is of a perse known type and is configured to supply on its own output, i.e., onthe seventh node N₇, a voltage V_(ref)=V_(part)/V_(peak)·V_(nomin),referred to hereinafter as the reference voltage V_(ref). In greaterdetail, V_(nomin) is for example equal to 2.1 V.

In practice, the reference voltage V_(ref), supplied by the referencegenerator 14, has the shape of a rectified double-half-wave sinusoid, inphase with the voltage V_(in) and with an amplitude normalized withrespect to the peak value assumed by the voltage V_(in) so that, whenthe voltage V_(in) has a maximum, the reference voltage V_(ref) is equalto V_(nomin). Consequently, the amplitude of the reference voltageV_(ref) is substantially independent of possible variations of amplitudeof the voltage V_(in), the latter being caused, for example, byfluctuations of the voltage supplied by the electric power mains 2.Consequently, the amplitude of the reference voltage V_(ref) isindependent of the effective peak value of the voltage V_(in). Forreasons of simplicity, in what follows there is assumed, except whereotherwise specified, operation in nominal conditions, i.e., in thepresence of an ideal electric power mains supply. In these conditions,it may be assumed that V_(ref)=k·V_(in).

Once again with reference to the electronic driving circuit 10, itcomprises a plurality of regulation modules, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 2. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 there arepresent a first regulation module MREG1, a second regulation moduleMREG2, a third regulation module MREG3, and a fourth regulation moduleMREG4, electrically connected together in sequence, as describedhereinafter.

In detail, the first regulation module MREG1 comprises a firstoperational amplifier and a second operational amplifier, designated,respectively, by K1 and W1, as well as a MOSFET M1, and a resistor S1,referred to hereinafter as the sensing resistor S1. For instance, theMOSFET M1 is of the N-channel-enrichment type.

In greater detail, the drain terminal of the MOSFET M1 is connected tothe first node N₁, whereas the source terminal is connected to the firstterminal of the sensing resistor S1, the second terminal of which isconnected to the first terminal of the external resistor 12, the secondterminal of which, as mentioned previously, is connected to ground.

The gate terminal of the MOSFET M1 is connected to the output terminalof the first operational amplifier K1. The MOSFET M1 is thus driven bythe first operational amplifier K1. The positive input terminal of thefirst operational amplifier K1 is connected to the seventh node N₇,i.e., to the output of the reference generator 14, to be set, in use, atthe reference voltage V_(ref). The negative input terminal of the firstoperational amplifier K1 is connected to the output terminal of thesecond operational amplifier W1, which in use generates a voltageV_(B1), referred to hereinafter as the feedback voltage V_(B1).

The first regulation module MREG1 further comprises another fourresistors, referred to hereinafter as the first, second, third, andfourth adder resistors R_(A1), R_(B1), R_(C1), R_(D1); further, thefirst regulation module MREG1 comprises a differential amplifier Z1.

In greater detail, the differential amplifier Z1 is of a per se knowntype and comprises a respective positive input terminal and a respectivenegative input terminal, which are connected, respectively, to the firstand second terminals of the sensing resistor S1. In use, thedifferential amplifier Z1 generates on its own output a voltage V_(S1),referred to hereinafter as the sensed voltage V_(S1). The sensed voltageV_(S1) is directly proportional to the current that flows in the sensingresistor S1, and thus to the current that flows in the MOSFET M1.

Purely by way of example, the differential amplifier Z1 may be formed asillustrated in FIG. 5. In this case, the differential amplifier Z1comprises a respective operational amplifier 40 and four correspondingresistors, referred to hereinafter as the first, second, third, andfourth additional resistors 42, 44, 46, 48. The first additionalresistor 42 is connected between the output terminal and the negativeinput terminal of the operational amplifier 40. The second additionalresistor 44 has a first terminal connected to the negative inputterminal of the operational amplifier 40, whereas the respective secondterminal forms the negative input terminal of the differential amplifierZ1, and thus is connected to the second terminal of the sensing resistorS1. The third additional resistor 46 has a first terminal connected tothe positive input terminal of the operational amplifier 40, whereas therespective second terminal forms the positive input terminal of thedifferential amplifier Z1, and is thus connected to the first terminalof the sensing resistor S1. The fourth additional resistor 48 isconnected between the positive input terminal of the operationalamplifier 40 and ground. By selecting in a per se known manner thevalues of resistance of the first, second, third, and fourth additionalresistors 42, 44, 46, 48, it is thus possible to set the gain betweenthe voltage across the input terminals of the differential amplifier Z1and the sensed voltage V_(S1), generated on the output terminal of thedifferential amplifier Z1. Ideally, the differential amplifier Z1 has aninfinite common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR).

Once again with reference to FIG. 2, the second operational amplifier W1forms an adder circuit, together with the first, second, third, andfourth adder resistors R_(A1), R_(B1), R_(C1), R_(D1). In particular,the third adder resistor R_(C1) is connected between the negative inputterminal and the output terminal of the second operational amplifier W1.The fourth adder resistor R_(D1) is connected between the negative inputterminal of the second operational amplifier W1 and ground. The firstand second terminals of the first adder resistor R_(A1) are respectivelyconnected to the positive input terminal of the second operationalamplifier W1 and to the output terminal of the differential amplifierZ1. The first terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B1) is connectedto the positive input terminal of the second operational amplifier W1,whereas the second terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B1) isconnected to the second regulation module MREG2, as describedhereinafter.

In practice, the aforementioned adder circuit and the first operationalamplifier K1 form, respectively, a first control circuit and a secondcontrol circuit of a control stage designed to control the MOSFET M1.

From a qualitative standpoint, the MOSFET M1, the sensing resistor S1,and the first operational amplifier K1 perform the function of the firstregulator REG1. Furthermore, once again at a qualitative level, thedifferential amplifier Z1 and the adder circuit formed by the secondoperational amplifier W1 perform part of the functions of the controlmodule 16.

The second, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG2, MREG3, MREG4 arethe same as the first regulation module MREG, but for the differencesdescribed hereinafter. Furthermore, given any one of the second, third,and fourth regulation modules MREG2, MREG3, MREG4, the respectiveelectronic components and the voltages generated are designated by thesame terms used for the corresponding electronic components/voltages ofthe first regulation module MREG1, as well as by the same references,but for the fact that, given a component or any voltage of the n-thregulation module, the corresponding reference sign terminates with thenumber ‘n’, instead of with the number ‘1’. For this reason, the MOSFET,the first and second operational amplifiers, the differential amplifier,the sensing resistor, the feedback voltage, the sensed voltage, and thefirst, second, third, and fourth adder resistors of the secondregulation module MREG2 are designated, respectively, by M2, K2, W2, Z2,S2, V_(B2), V_(S2), R_(A2), R_(B2), R_(C2), R_(D2); likewise, thecorresponding components/voltages of the third regulation module MREG3are designated, respectively, by M3, K3, W3, Z3, S3, V_(B3), V_(S3),R_(A3), R_(B3), R_(C3), R_(D3); finally, the correspondingcomponents/voltages of the fourth regulation module MREG4 aredesignated, respectively, by M4, K4, W4, Z4, S4, V_(B4), V_(S4), R_(A4),R_(B4), R_(C4), R_(D4).

Once again with reference to the first regulation module MREG1, theaforementioned second terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B1) isconnected to the output terminal of the second operational amplifier W2of the second regulation module MREG2 for receiving the feedback voltageV_(B2) generated by the latter. In addition, the resistance of the firstadder resistor R_(A1) is greater than the resistance of the second adderresistor R_(B1) so that we have V_(B1)=g1·V_(S1)+g2·V_(B2), with g2>g1,for reason that will be clarified hereinafter.

Once again with reference to the first regulation module MREG1, thesensing resistor S1 has a resistance lower than the resistance R_(ext)of the external resistor 12. For example, the resistance of the sensingresistor S1 may be equal to one thirtieth of the resistance R_(ext).

Purely by way of example, the sensing resistor S1 may have a resistance,for example, equal to 1Ω. The first and second adder resistors R_(A1),R_(B1) may have resistances, for example, equal to 10 kΩ and 9.8 kΩ,respectively; further, the third and fourth adder resistors R_(C1),R_(D1) may have resistances equal to 10 kΩ. In this case, to a firstapproximation, g1=1 and g2=1.01. More in general, the gains g2 and g1may be close to unity; for example, the relations g1=1 and g2=1+Δ, withΔ comprised for example between 0.01 and 0.1, may apply. In addition,the differential amplifier Z1 may be configured to amplify the voltagedrop on the sensing resistor S1 with a gain equal to unity. In thiscase, it is for example possible for the first, second, third, andfourth additional resistors 42, 44, 46, 48 to be the same as one anotherand equal, for example, to 10 kΩ. Once again purely by way of example,the first, second, third, and fourth threshold voltages V_(th1),V_(th2), V_(th3), V_(th4) may be equal approximately to 110 V, 78 V, 60V, and 40 V, respectively.

As regards the second regulation module MREG2, the drain terminal of therespective MOSFET M2 is connected to the second node N₂. Furthermore,the second terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B2) is connected tothe output terminal of the second operational amplifier W3 of the thirdregulation module MREG3 for receiving the feedback voltage V_(B3)generated by the latter.

As regards the third regulation module MREG3, the drain terminal of therespective MOSFET M3 is connected to the third node N₃. Furthermore, thesecond terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B3) is connected to theoutput terminal of the second operational amplifier W4 of the fourthregulation module MREG4 for receiving the feedback voltage V_(B4)generated by the latter.

As regards the fourth regulation module MREG4, the drain terminal of therespective MOSFET M4 is connected to the fourth node N₄. Furthermore,the second terminal of the second adder resistor R_(B4) is connected tothe second terminal of an own sensing resistor S4, and thus to the firstterminal of the external resistor 12, on which in use there is a voltagedrop V_(rext).

In practice, the positive input terminals of the first operationalamplifiers K1, K2, K3, K4 of the first, second, third, and fourthregulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3 and MREG4 are connected to theoutput of the reference generator 14 and receive the reference voltageV_(ref). Instead, the negative input terminals of the first operationalamplifiers K1, K2, K3, K4 receive the corresponding feedback voltagesV_(B1), V_(B2), V_(B3), V_(B4), which are a function, among otherthings, of the corresponding sensed voltages V_(S1), V_(S2), V_(S3),V_(S4). Furthermore, as regards any one of the first, second, and thirdregulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3, the corresponding feedbackvoltage is likewise a function of the feedback voltage generated by thenext regulation module. In particular, the feedback voltages V_(B1),V_(B2), V_(B3) are respectively a function of the feedback voltagesV_(B2), V_(B3), V_(B4). As regards the fourth regulation module MREG4,the feedback voltage V_(B4) is a function, not only of the respectivesensed voltage V_(S4), but also of the voltage V_(rext) drop on theexternal resistor 12. On the other hand, since, as explained previously,the feedback voltages V_(B1), V_(B2), V_(B3) are respectively a functionof the feedback voltages V_(B2), V_(B3), V_(B4), also the feedbackvoltages V_(B1), V_(B2), V_(B3) depend upon the voltage V_(rext) drop onthe external resistor 12.

Operation of the electronic driving circuit 10 is now described withreference to FIG. 6.

In detail, it is assumed that at a first instant t₁ the referencevoltage V_(ref) is zero and that subsequently there follows an ascendingportion of the respective profile of rectified double-half-wavesinusoid.

At the first instant t₁, current may not flow in any of the LED strings.Consequently, the voltage V_(rext) on the external resistor 12, thesensed voltages V_(S1), V_(S2), V_(S3), V_(S4), and the feedbackvoltages V_(B1), V_(B2), V_(B3), V_(B4) are zero. Consequently, each ofthe first operational amplifiers K1, K2, K3, K4 of the first, second,third, and fourth regulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3, MREG4 is inpositive saturation, since the voltage on the respective positive inputterminal (equal to the reference voltage V_(ref)) exceeds the voltage(zero) present on the respective negative input terminal.

In other words, designating by V_(M1), V_(M2), V_(M3), V_(M4) thevoltages (illustrated in FIG. 6) present, respectively, on the outputterminals of the first operational amplifiers K1, K2, K3, K4 of thefirst, second, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3,MREG4, at the first instant t₁ these voltages are equal to a maximumvalue (which, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, is approximatelyequal to 7.5 V). Consequently, the MOSFETs M1, M2, M3, M4 of the first,second, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3, MREG4operate in the saturation region and may be equated to correspondingshort-circuits.

Next, the increase in the voltage V_(in) brings the latter toapproximate the first threshold voltage V_(th1) of the first LED stringD1. Consequently, at a subsequent second instant t₂, a current starts toflow in the first LED string D1, but not in the other LED strings. Inparticular, at the second instant t₂ the voltage V_(in) exceeds thefirst threshold voltage V_(th1).

In practice, designating respectively by I_(D1), I_(D2), I_(D3), I_(D4)the currents (illustrated in FIG. 6) that flow in the MOSFETs M1, M2,M3, M4 of the first, second, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG1,MREG2, MREG3, MREG4, starting from the second instant t₂ there is anincrease of just the current I_(D1), which, as has been said, flows,apart from the sensing resistor S1 of the first regulation module MREG1and the external resistor 12, in just the first LED string D1. The othercurrents I_(D2), I_(D3), I_(D4) remain zero.

Once a brief transient caused by the presence of the series resistancesof the LEDs of the first LED string D1 vanishes, and more preciselystarting from a third instant t₃, the first regulation module MREG1operates in the regulation phase. The regulation phase entails the factthat the first operational amplifier K1 and the MOSFET M1 of the firstregulation module MREG1 have exited from the respective saturationstates, and that the MOSFET M1 operates in a linear region and causes acurrent proportional to the reference voltage V_(ref) to flow in thefirst LED string D1.

In greater detail, after the third instant t₃, the first regulationmodule MREG1 operates so that the first operational amplifier K1 keepsthe voltage between its own positive input terminal (present on which isthe reference voltage V_(ref)) and its own negative input terminal(present on which is the feedback voltage V_(B1)) at zero. More inparticular, the first operational amplifier K1, the differentialamplifier Z1, the sensing resistor S1, the MOSFET M1, and the addercircuit, including the second operational amplifier W1, form a closedcontrol loop, where the first operational amplifier K1 operates outsidesaturation, for regulating the current I_(D1) linearly.

In even greater detail, since g1≈1 and g2≈1 and the sensing resistor S1has a resistance that to a first approximation is negligible withrespect to the resistance R_(ext) of the external resistor 12, at thethird instant t₃ the current I_(D1) is substantially equal to the ratiobetween the voltage V_(rext) and the resistance R_(rext) of the externalresistor 12. Furthermore, since at the third instant t₃ the voltageV_(rext) is approximately equal (in the aforementioned nominalconditions) to k·V_(th1), where k is the aforementioned division ratiointroduced by the voltage divider 20, the current I_(D1) assumes a valueI_(D1) _(_) _(t3) k·V_(th1)/R_(rext). For instance, with k=0.0067,V_(th1)=110 V, and R_(ext)=30 S2, we have that I_(D1) _(_) _(t3) isapproximately equal to 25 mA. In this connection, the curves shown inFIG. 6 are purely an example and refer to a hypothetical case, where, infact, I_(D1) _(_) _(t3) is approximately equal to 25 mA.

Once again with reference to the third instant t₃, the currents in thesecond, third, and fourth LED strings D2, D3, D4 are zero because thevoltage V_(in) has not yet exceeded the sum of the first and secondthreshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2), nor much less has it exceeded thesum of the first, second, and third threshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2),V_(th3) or the sum of the first, second, third, and fourth thresholdvoltages V_(th1), V_(th2), V_(th3), V_(th4).

In greater detail, before the third instant t₃, the current I_(D1)exhibits a peak, due to the fact that, as explained previously, theMOSFET M1 is in saturation before the first regulation module MREG1enters the regulation phase. Furthermore, before the regulation moduleMREG1 closes the aforementioned control loop, a time interval, albeit ofvery limited duration, elapses. In what follows, this peak, as likewisethe peaks that appear before entry into the regulation phase of thesecond, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG2, MREG3, MREG4, arenot described any further in so far as they are irrelevant for thepurposes of operation of the electronic driving circuit 10.

This having been said, when the first regulation module MREG1 operatesin the regulation phase, the current I_(D1) follows a correspondingsinusoidal profile, as the voltage V_(in) increases. There is thus alinear regulation of the current I_(D1). In particular, the currentI_(D1) is substantially equal to V_(ref)/R_(rext). Likewise, also thevoltage V_(M1) follows a corresponding sinusoidal profile. Inparticular, at the third instant t₃, the voltage V_(M1) decreases to acorresponding value V_(M1) _(_) _(t3), which depends upon the electricalcharacteristics of the aforementioned control loop, and subsequentlyfollows a respective sinusoidal profile.

In addition, when the first regulation module MREG1 operates in theregulation phase, the first operational amplifiers of the regulationmodules downstream of the first regulation module MREG1, i.e., the firstoperational amplifiers K2, K3, K4 of the second, third, and fourthregulation modules MREG2, MREG3, MREG4 remain in saturation, as likewisethe corresponding MOSFETs.

Next, as the voltage V_(in) increases, in a subsequent fourth instant t₄the second regulation module MREG2 enters the regulation phase.

In greater detail, at an instant t₄−δ (with t₃<t₄−δ<t₄) the voltageV_(in) is found to exceed the sum of the first and second thresholdvoltages V_(th1), V_(th2), and consequently the current I_(D2) starts toincrease. Furthermore, following upon the fourth instant t₄, the firstoperational amplifier K2 and the MOSFET M2 of the second regulationmodule MREG2 form a closed control loop that regulates the currentI_(D2). In particular, the MOSFET M2 of the second regulation moduleMREG2 operates in a linear region and causes a current proportional tothe reference voltage V_(ref) to flow in the second LED string D2.Further, the first operational amplifier K2 keeps at zero the voltagebetween its own positive input terminal (present on which is thereference voltage V_(ref)) and its own negative input terminal (presenton which is the feedback voltage V_(B2)).

In greater detail, at the fourth instant t₄, the current I_(D2) assumes,to a first approximation (in the aforementioned nominal conditions), avalue I_(D2) _(_) _(t4)=k·(V_(th1)+V_(th2))/R_(rext). For instance, withk=0.0067, V_(th1)=110 V, V_(th2)=78 V and R_(ext)=30Ω, we have I_(D2)_(_) _(t4) approximately equal to 42 mA.

Entry into the regulation phase by the second regulation module MREG2entails turning-off of the first regulation module MREG1; i.e., itentails opening of the control loop formed by the first regulationmodule MREG1. In practice, at the fourth instant t₄, the firstoperational amplifier K1 enters negative saturation since the voltage onthe respective positive input terminal (equal to the reference voltageV_(ref)) becomes lower than the voltage present on the respectivenegative input terminal, for the reasons described hereinafter. Inparticular, assuming that the first operational amplifiers K1, K2, K3,K4 are of a unipolar type, the voltage V_(M1) generated on the output ofthe first operational amplifier K1 becomes zero. Consequently, theMOSFET M1 of the first regulation module MREG1 is inhibited and operatesas an open circuit. For this reason, following upon the fourth instantt₄, the current I_(D2) flows in the first and second LED strings D1, D2,as well as in the MOSFET M2 and in the sensing resistor S2 of the secondregulation module MREG2, but not in the MOSFET M1 and in the sensingresistor S1 of the first regulation module MREG1.

As regards the aforementioned turning-off of the first regulation moduleMREG1, this occurs given that g2>g1, and thus given that, in generatingthe feedback voltage V_(B1), a greater weight is assigned to thefeedback voltage V_(B2) (and consequently to the sensed voltage V_(S2)of the second regulation module MREG2) than to the sensed voltage V_(S1)of the first regulation module MREG1. In other words, a gain is appliedto the feedback voltage V_(B2), and thus to the sensed voltage V_(S2) ofthe second regulation module MREG2, that causes an unbalancing of thevoltages present on the input terminals of the first operationalamplifier K1 of the first regulation module MREG1. In particular, on thepositive input terminal of the first operational amplifier K1 of thefirst regulation module MREG1 there is still present the referencevoltage V_(ref), but the feedback voltage V_(B1), present on thenegative input terminal, becomes higher than the reference voltageV_(ref).

In greater detail, as mentioned previously, the current I_(D2), which isinitially zero, starts to increase at the instant t₄−δ. Simultaneously,the current I_(D1) starts to decrease with respect to the correspondingsinusoidal profile until it vanishes at the fourth instant t₄, since thefeedback voltage V_(B1) of the first regulation module MREG1 alsodepends upon the sensed voltage V_(S2) of the second regulation moduleMREG2.

In practice, in a time interval that has a duration equal to δ andterminates at the fourth instant t₄, there is a passage of current inboth of the MOSFETs M1, M2 of the first and second regulation modulesMREG1, MREG2, so that the passage between the phase where regulation ismade by the first regulation module MREG1 and the phase where regulationis made by the second regulation module MREG2 occurs without any sharpdiscontinuity. In particular, in the aforementioned time interval, thefirst regulation module MREG1 is not yet turned off (it is outsidesaturation), but no longer regulates the current I_(D1) so that it isproportional to the reference voltage V_(ref). Equivalently, in theaforementioned time interval regulation of the current that as a wholeflows in the cascade of the LED strings is entrusted to the co-operationbetween the first and second regulation modules MREG1, MREG2. More inparticular, in the aforementioned time interval, it is the sum of thecurrents I_(D1) and I_(D2) that is proportional to the reference voltageV_(ref).

This having been said, when the second regulation module MREG2 operatesin the regulation phase, the current I_(D2) and the voltage V_(M2)follow corresponding sinusoidal profiles; in particular, the currentI_(D2) is substantially equal to V_(ref)/R_(rext). In addition, at thefourth instant t₄, the voltage V_(M2) decreases from the aforementionedmaximum value to a corresponding value V_(M2) _(_) _(t4). In addition,when the second regulation module MREG2 operates in the regulationphase, the first operational amplifiers K3, K4 of the third and fourthregulation modules MREG3, MREG4 remain in saturation, as likewise thecorresponding MOSFETs.

Following upon the further increase in the voltage V_(in), at a fifthinstant t₅ there occurs turning-off of the second regulation moduleMREG2 and entry in the regulation phase by the third regulation moduleMREG3. The first regulation module MREG1 remains turned off. The fifthinstant t₅ is subsequent to overstepping, by the voltage V_(in), of thesum of the first, second, and third threshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2),V_(th3).

Following upon the further increase in the voltage V_(in), at a sixthinstant t₆ there occurs turning-off of the third regulation module MREG3and entry into the regulation phase by the fourth regulation moduleMREG4. The first and second regulation modules MREG1, MREG2 remainturned off. The sixth instant t₅ is subsequent to overstepping, by thevoltage V_(in), of the sum of the first, second, third, and fourththreshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2), V_(th3), V_(th4).

Once again with reference to FIG. 6, it shows, purely by way of example,also the plot of the reference voltage V_(ref) and of the feedbackvoltage V_(B3) of the third regulation module MREG3. In practice, it maybe noted how the feedback voltage V_(B3) is lower than the referencevoltage V_(ref) up to the fifth instant t₅, with consequent positivesaturation of the first operational amplifier K3 of the third regulationmodule MREG3. Between the fifth and sixth instants t₅, t₆, the feedbackvoltage V_(B3) is equal to the reference voltage V_(ref) since at thefifth instant t₅ the third regulation module MREG3 has entered theregulation phase. At the sixth instant t₆, the feedback voltage V_(B3)exceeds the reference voltage V_(ref), and thus the third regulationmodule MREG3 turns off.

Following upon the sixth instant t₆, the voltage V_(in) assumes arespective maximum value and then starts to decrease. In particular, ata seventh instant t₇, the voltage V_(in) becomes lower than the sum ofthe first, second, third, and fourth threshold voltages V_(th1),V_(th2), V_(th3), V_(th4). Consequently, the current I_(D4) vanishes.

In detail, the current I_(D4) tends to decrease before the seventhinstant t₇ on account of the presence of the series resistances of theLEDs of the LED strings. This means that, at an instant t₇−ε, the fourthcontrol module MREG4 exits from the regulation phase.

In greater detail, at the instant t₇−ε, the reference voltage V_(ref)present on the positive input terminal of the first operationalamplifier K4 becomes higher than the feedback voltage V_(B4) present onthe negative input terminal. Consequently, the first operationalamplifier K4 of the fourth regulation module MREG4 is positivelysaturated. At the same time, the current I_(D3) starts to increase.Furthermore, since the contribution of the third regulation module MREG3to the feedback voltage V_(B3) due to the sensed voltage V_(S4) of thefourth regulation module MREG4 has vanished, the feedback voltage V_(B3)equals the reference voltage V_(ref). Consequently, at the seventhinstant t₇, the third regulation module MREG3 returns into theregulation phase.

At a subsequent eighth instant t₈, the voltage V_(in) becomes lower thanthe sum of the first, second, and third threshold voltages V_(th1),V_(th2), V_(th3). Consequently, the current I_(D3) vanishes. Before thecurrent I_(D3) vanishes, the first operational amplifier K3 of the thirdregulation module MREG3 is positively saturated. Furthermore, at theeighth instant t₈, the second regulation module MREG2 returns into theregulation phase.

Likewise, at a ninth instant t₉ the voltage V_(in) becomes lower thanthe sum of the first and second threshold voltages V_(th1), V_(th2).Consequently, the current I_(D2) vanishes. Before the current I_(D2)vanishes, the first operational amplifier K2 of the second regulationmodule MREG2 is positively saturated. In addition, at the ninth instantt₉, the first regulation module MREG1 returns into the regulation phase.

Finally, at a tenth instant t₁₀, the voltage V_(in) becomes lower thanthe first threshold voltage V_(th1). Consequently, the current I_(D1)vanishes. Before the current I_(D1) vanishes, the first operationalamplifier K1 of the first regulation module MREG1 is positivelysaturated, and thus the first regulation module MREG1 exits from theregulation phase.

In practice, the present electronic driving circuit comprises aplurality of regulation modules connected electrically in sequence, eachof which is electrically coupled to the cathode terminal of acorresponding LED string. The regulation modules are configured toexecute in turn a current-regulation phase. Furthermore, thecurrent-regulation phases occur in a predetermined sequence, as afunction of the trend of reference voltage V_(ref). In particular, whenthe amplitude of the reference voltage V_(ref) is increasing, the first,second, third, and fourth regulation modules MREG1, MREG2, MREG3, MREG4execute the respective regulation phases in succession, i.e., in a firstorder. Instead, when the amplitude of the reference voltage V_(ref) isdecreasing, the first, second, third, and fourth regulation modulesMREG1, MREG2, MREG3, MREG4 execute the respective regulation phases in asecond order, reversed with respect to the first order. In addition,each regulation module is such that, when it operates in thecurrent-regulation phase, it regulates the current that flows in thecorresponding LED string and in the previous LED strings so that thiscurrent is proportional to the reference voltage V_(ref).

From what has been described and illustrated so far, the advantages thatthe present solution affords emerge clearly.

In particular, the present driving circuit enables good performance interms of power factor and harmonic distortion to be obtained. In fact,the present driving circuit envisages generation of a current thatfollows the sinusoidal plot of the voltage V_(in), instead of evolvingby discrete levels, as is shown qualitatively in FIG. 7, where the totalcurrent that flows in the LED strings is represented both in the case ofthe present opto-electronic circuit and in the case of a circuit of atraditional type. In this connection, it may be noted how the plot ofthe total current is substantially sinusoidal when the voltage V_(in)exceeds the first threshold voltage V_(th1). The fact that theregulation modules enter and exit the regulation phase in sequence andwithout any sharp discontinuity concurs in rendering the plot of thetotal current more similar to that of a sinusoid.

The present driving circuit may further be implemented with low costsand small overall dimensions. In addition, thanks to the fact that thecurrent in the LED strings is directly proportional to the inputvoltage, it is possible to use a single resistor (in the case in point,the external resistor 12) to define the nominal current that flows inthe LEDs, and thus the light intensity supplied.

The present driving circuit is suited further to being used in a cascadeof circuits, as illustrated for example in FIG. 8.

In particular, FIG. 8 shows an electronic system 114, including a firstelectronic driving circuit and a second electronic driving circuit,designated, respectively, by 110 and 210 and of the same type as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 2.

In greater detail, and without any loss of generality, each of the firstand second electronic driving circuits 110, 210 is represented as anintegrated electronic circuit (chip) with ten pins, where pin one isconnected to the rectifier 4, whereas pins six, seven, eight, and nineare connected, respectively, to the drain terminals of the MOSFETs M1,M2, M3, M4 of the first, second, third, and fourth regulation moduleMREG1, MREG2, MREG3, MREG4; pin four is connected to the ground of theelectronic driving circuit, whereas pin five is connected to the secondterminal of the sensing resistor S4 of the fourth regulation moduleMREG4. Pins two, three, and ten are not used.

This having been said, the electronic system 114 further comprises thefirst, second, third, and fourth LED strings D1, D2, D3, D4 and theexternal resistor 12. Furthermore, the electronic system 114 comprises afifth LED string D5, a sixth LED string D6, a seventh LED string D7, andan eighth LED string D8 and a further resistor 212, referred tohereinafter as the final resistor 212.

In greater detail, the first, second, third, and fourth LED strings D1,D2, D3, D4 and the external resistor 12 are connected to the firstelectronic driving circuit 110, as described in regard to FIG. 2, exceptfor fact that between the cathode terminal of the fourth LED string D4and the first terminal of the external resistor 12 the fifth LED stringD5 is connected, the anode and cathode terminals of which are connectedto the cathode terminal of the fourth LED string D4 and to the firstterminal of the external resistor 12, respectively.

As regards the second electronic driving circuit 210, the respective pinsix is connected to the second terminal of the external resistor 12,whereas pins seven, eight, and nine are connected, respectively, to thecathode terminals of the sixth, seventh, and eighth LED strings D6, D7,D8, as in the case of the first electronic driving circuit 110 and tothe second, third, and fourth LED strings D2, D3, D4. Pin five of thesecond electronic driving circuit 210 is, instead, connected to a firstterminal of the final resistor 212, the second terminal of which isconnected to pin four of the second electronic driving circuit 210, aswell as to the second output terminal O₂ of the rectifier 4.

In greater detail, the resistance R_(ext) of the external resistor 12 ishigher than the resistance of the final resistor 212. For instance, theresistance R_(ext) of the external resistor 12 may be equal to 10Ω,whereas the resistance of the final resistor may be equal to 7Ω.

In practice, the second terminal of the external resistor 12 functionsas reference node for the first electronic driving circuit 110, whereasthe second terminal of the final resistor 212 is connected to the groundof the rectifier 4. In this connection, albeit not illustrated, theground of each electronic driving circuit is connected to theoperational amplifiers contained therein and is further shared with thereference generator 14.

This having been said, in use the first, second, third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, and eighth LED strings D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, andD8 enter and exit the regulation phase in succession, in a way similarto what has been described with reference to FIG. 2.

In general, the use of a cascade of electronic driving circuits enablesoptimisation of the efficiency with which a large number of LED stringsis supplied.

In conclusion, it is clear that modifications and variations may be madeto what has been described and illustrated herein, without therebydeparting from the scope of the present invention, as defined in theannexed claims.

For instance, the peak detector 22 may be of a type different from whathas been described. In general, the reference generator 14 may bedifferent from what has been described; for example, it may include justthe voltage divider 20, in which case the reference voltage V_(ref) doesnot have a normalized amplitude.

As regards the normalization circuit 33, it may be absent, or else, ifpresent, it may be formed in a per se known manner and may possiblyperform, for example, also the function of the multiplier 26.

The transistors may be of a type different from what has been described.In addition, also the circuit diagram that makes it possible, within aregulation module, to weight in a different way the sensed voltage andthe feedback voltage of the next module may be different. On the otherhand, instead of the sensed voltage, it is possible to generate anyquantity indicating the current that flows in the corresponding MOSFET.

The differential amplifier of each regulation module may amplify thevoltage drop on the corresponding sensing resistor with a gain differentfrom unity.

The values of the quantities mentioned in the present description may bedifferent from the values provided by way of example previously.

In addition, it is possible for one or more of the regulation modules toinclude circuit components different from what has been described. Forinstance, it is possible for there to be present, between the firstoperational amplifier and the MOSFET, a lowpass filter and/or a bufferin order to stabilise the electronic driving circuit. Furthermore, thefunctions of the adder circuit and of the differential amplifier may beperformed by using a circuit diagram with a single amplifier. Again,between the first output terminal O₁ of the rectifier 4 and ground theremay be connected a capacitor (not illustrated) with a capacitance forexample equal to 10 nF in order to perform a further effect of filteringon the current at input to the cascade of LED strings.

One or more of the LED strings may include two respective branches inparallel, each branch being formed by a corresponding LED string. Inthis case, the threshold voltages of the two branches may be equal toone another in order to enable proper turning-on of both of thebranches.

Finally, as mentioned previously, the electronic driving circuit 10 mayform an electronic circuit of an integrated type; i.e., it may beintegrated in a die of semiconductor material. In this case, one or morecomponents of the reference generator 14 may be integrated in the die,or else may be made up of discrete components, external to the die. Forinstance, the voltage divider 20 and/or the peak detector 22 may beintegrated in the die.

1. An electronic circuit for driving a plurality of LED stringsconnected in a cascade, each LED string including an anode terminal anda cathode terminal, comprising: a plurality of regulation modules,wherein each regulation module is configured to be electrically coupled,in use, to the cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string, and eachregulation module further configured to be electrically coupled toreceive a reference voltage in phase with a rectified mains voltage andhaving an amplitude smaller than an amplitude of said rectified mainsvoltage; a reference circuit comprising: a voltage divider configured togenerate a reduced voltage as a function of said rectified mainsvoltage; a peak-detector circuit configured to generate a peak voltageproportional to the peak value of said reduced voltage; and a circuitconfigured to generate said reference voltage so that it is proportionalto a ratio between the reduced voltage and the peak voltage; and whereinsaid regulation modules are configured to execute in turn acurrent-regulation phase, with the current-regulation phases of saidregulation modules occurring in sequence as a function of a trend of thereference voltage; and wherein each regulation module is configured sothat, when said regulation module executes the current-regulation phase,current that flows in the corresponding LED string and in the previousLED strings is regulated so that it is proportional to the referencevoltage.
 2. The electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein eachregulation module comprises: a transistor configured to be electricallycoupled to the cathode terminal of the corresponding LED string; asensing circuit electrically coupled to said transistor and configuredto generate a first electrical quantity indicating a current that flowsin said transistor; and a control stage configured to control saidtransistor as a function of the reference voltage and of said firstelectrical quantity.
 3. An electronic circuit for driving a plurality ofLED strings connected in a cascade, each LED string including an anodeterminal and a cathode terminal, comprising: a plurality of regulationmodules, wherein each regulation module is configured to be electricallycoupled, in use, to the cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string,and each regulation module further configured to be electrically coupledto receive a reference voltage in phase with a rectified mains voltageand having an amplitude smaller than an amplitude of said rectifiedmains voltage; and wherein said regulation modules are configured toexecute in turn a current-regulation phase, with the current-regulationphases of said regulation modules occurring in sequence as a function ofa trend of the reference voltage; and wherein each regulation module isconfigured so that, when said regulation module executes thecurrent-regulation phase, current that flows in the corresponding LEDstring and in the previous LED strings is regulated so that it isproportional to the reference voltage; wherein each regulation module isconfigured to be electrically coupled to a common resistor andcomprises: a transistor configured to be electrically coupled to thecathode terminal of the corresponding LED string; a sensing circuitelectrically coupled to said transistor and configured to generate afirst electrical quantity indicating a current that flows in saidtransistor; and a control stage configured to control said transistor asa function of the reference voltage and of said first electricalquantity; and wherein said control stage comprises: a first controlcircuit having a first input and a second input, the first input beingelectrically coupled to said sensing circuit for receiving said firstelectrical quantity, the second input being configured to receive asecond electrical quantity indicating a voltage drop on said commonresistor, said first control circuit being configured to generate afeedback voltage as a function of said first and second electricalquantities; and a second control circuit electrically coupled to thefirst control circuit and configured to control said transistor as afunction of the reference voltage and of the feedback voltage.
 4. Theelectronic circuit according to claim 3, wherein said control stage isconfigured so that, when the respective regulation module executes theregulation phase, said feedback voltage is substantially equal to thereference voltage.
 5. The electronic circuit according to claim 3,wherein said second control circuit comprises an operational amplifier.6. The electronic circuit according to claim 3, wherein said regulationmodules are electrically connected in sequence so that the second inputof the first control circuit of each regulation module other than a lastone of said regulation modules receives the feedback voltage generatedby the next regulation module, the second input of the first controlmodule of the last regulation module being connected to said commonresistor.
 7. The electronic circuit according to claim 6, wherein, ineach regulation module, the first electrical quantity is a voltagegenerated by the corresponding sensing circuit; and wherein the firstcontrol circuit of each regulation module other than said lastregulation module is configured so that the feedback voltage generatedby said first control circuit is a function of a weighted sum of thefirst electrical quantity generated by the sensing circuit of saidregulation module, assigned to which is a first weight, and of thefeedback voltage generated by the next regulation module, assigned towhich is a second weight greater than the first weight; and wherein thefirst control circuit of the last regulation module is configured sothat the feedback voltage generated by said first control circuit is afunction of a weighted sum of the first electrical quantity generated bythe sensing circuit of said last regulation module, assigned to which isthe first weight, and of a voltage drop on the common resistor, assignedto which is the second weight.
 8. The electronic circuit according toclaim 7, wherein the first control circuit of each regulation modulecomprises an adder circuit.
 9. The electronic circuit according to claim3, wherein the transistor of each regulation module has a firstconduction terminal and a second conduction terminal which areconnected, respectively, to the cathode terminal of the correspondingLED string and to a first terminal of the corresponding sensing circuit,a second terminal of said corresponding sensing circuit being connectedto said common resistor.
 10. The electronic circuit according to claim9, wherein said sensing circuit comprises a respective differentialamplifier and a respective resistor, which forms said first and secondterminals of said sensing circuit.
 11. The electronic circuit accordingto claim 3, further comprising a reference circuit configured togenerate said reference voltage, wherein said reference circuitcomprises a voltage divider configured to generate a reduced voltage, asa function of said rectified mains voltage.
 12. The electronic circuitaccording to claim 11, wherein said reference circuit further comprisesa peak-detector circuit configured to generate a peak voltageproportional to the peak value of said reduced voltage; and wherein saidreference circuit is configured to generate said reference voltage sothat it is proportional to a ratio between the reduced voltage and thepeak voltage.
 13. An electronic circuit for driving a plurality of LEDstrings connected in series, each LED string including a respectiveanode terminal and a respective cathode terminal, said electroniccircuit comprising: a plurality of regulation modules, wherein eachregulation module is configured to be electrically coupled, in use, tothe cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string; a reference circuitconfigured to receive a rectified mains voltage and to generate areference voltage in phase with said rectified mains voltage and with anamplitude smaller than the amplitude of said rectified mains voltage,said reference voltage applied to each of said regulation modules;wherein said reference circuit comprises: a voltage divider configuredto generate a reduced voltage as a function of said rectified mainsvoltage; a peak-detector circuit configured to generate a peak voltageproportional to the peak value of said reduced voltage; and a circuitconfigured to generate said reference voltage so that it is proportionalto the ratio between the reduced voltage and the peak voltage; andwherein said regulation modules are configured to execute in turn and insequence a current-regulation phase as a function of a trend of thereference voltage; and wherein each regulation module is configuredduring execution of said current-regulation phase to regulate a currentflowing in the corresponding LED string as well as in previous LEDstrings in the series connection so that the regulated current isproportional to the reference voltage.
 14. The electronic circuitaccording to claim 13, wherein each regulation module comprises: atransistor electrically coupled to the cathode terminal of thecorresponding LED string; a sensing circuit electrically coupled to saidtransistor and configured to generate a first electrical quantityindicative of a current flowing in said transistor; and a controlcircuit configured to control said transistor as a function of thereference voltage and said first electrical quantity.
 15. An electroniccircuit for driving a plurality of LED strings connected in series, eachLED string including a respective anode terminal and a respectivecathode terminal, comprising: a plurality of regulation modules, whereineach regulation module is configured to be electrically coupled, in use,to the cathode terminal of a corresponding LED string; a referencecircuit configured to receive a rectified mains voltage and to generatea reference voltage in phase with said rectified mains voltage and withan amplitude smaller than the amplitude of said rectified mains voltage,said reference voltage applied to each of said regulation modules; andwherein said regulation modules are configured to execute in turn and insequence a current-regulation phase as a function of a trend of thereference voltage; and wherein each regulation module is configuredduring execution of said current-regulation phase to regulate a currentflowing in the corresponding LED string as well as in previous LEDstrings in the series connection so that the regulated current isproportional to the reference voltage; wherein each regulation module iselectrically coupled to a common resistor and comprises: a transistorelectrically coupled to the cathode terminal of the corresponding LEDstring; a sensing circuit electrically coupled to said transistor andconfigured to generate a first electrical quantity indicative of acurrent flowing in said transistor; and a control circuit configured tocontrol said transistor as a function of the reference voltage and saidfirst electrical quantity; and wherein said control circuit comprises: afirst control circuit having a first input and a second input, the firstinput being electrically coupled to said sensing circuit for receivingsaid first electrical quantity and the second input being configured toreceive a second electrical quantity indicative of a voltage drop onsaid common resistor, said first control circuit configured to generatea feedback voltage as a function of said first and second electricalquantities; and a second control circuit electrically coupled to thefirst control circuit and configured to control said transistor as afunction of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage.
 16. Theelectronic circuit according to claim 15, wherein said control circuitis configured cause said feedback voltage to substantially equal to thereference voltage when the respective regulation module executes theregulation phase.
 17. The electronic circuit according to claim 15,wherein said second control circuit comprises an operational amplifier.18. The electronic circuit according claim 15, wherein said regulationmodules are electrically connected in sequence so that the second inputof the first control circuit of each regulation module different from alast one of said regulation modules receives the feedback voltagegenerated by the next regulation module, the second input of the firstcontrol module of the last regulation module being connected to saidcommon resistor.
 19. The electronic circuit according to claim 18,wherein, in each regulation module, the first electrical quantity is avoltage generated by the corresponding sensing circuit; and wherein thefirst control circuit of each regulation module different from said lastregulation module is configured so that the feedback voltage generatedby said first control circuit is a function of a weighted sum of thefirst electrical quantity generated by the sensing circuit of saidregulation module, assigned to which is a first weight, and of thefeedback voltage generated by the next regulation module, assigned towhich is a second weight, greater than the first weight; and wherein thefirst control circuit of the last regulation module is configured sothat the feedback voltage generated by said first control circuit is afunction of a weighted sum of the first electrical quantity generated bythe sensing circuit of said last regulation module, assigned to which isthe first weight, and of a voltage drop on the common resistor, assignedto which is the second weight.
 20. The electronic circuit according toclaim 19, wherein the first control circuit of each regulation modulecomprises an adder circuit.
 21. The electronic circuit according toclaim 15, wherein the transistor of each regulation module has a firstconduction terminal and a second conduction terminal, which areconnected, respectively, to the cathode terminal of the correspondingLED string and to a first terminal of the corresponding sensing circuit,a second terminal of said corresponding sensing circuit being connectedto said common resistor.
 22. The electronic circuit according to claim21, wherein said sensing circuit comprises a respective differentialamplifier and a respective resistor, which forms said first and secondterminals of said sensing circuit.
 23. The electronic circuit accordingto claim 15, wherein said reference circuit comprises a voltage dividerconfigured to generate a reduced voltage as a function of said rectifiedmains voltage.
 24. The electronic circuit according to claim 23, whereinsaid reference circuit further comprises a peak-detector circuitconfigured to generate a peak voltage proportional to the peak value ofsaid reduced voltage; and wherein said reference circuit is configuredto generate said reference voltage so that it is proportional to theratio between the reduced voltage and the peak voltage.
 25. (canceled)26. An electronic circuit for driving a first LED string and a secondLED string connected in series, comprising: a first resistor; a firstregulation circuit having a first input coupled to a cathode terminal ofthe first LED string and a first output coupled to the first resistorand a second output, said first regulation circuit including a firstdrive transistor coupled the first input of the first regulationcircuit, a first control circuit configured to generate a first feedbackvoltage at the second output as a function of a voltage across the firstresistor and a current flowing through the first drive transistor and asecond control circuit configured to control the first drive transistoras a function of the first feedback voltage and a reference voltage; anda second regulation circuit having a first input coupled to a cathodeterminal of the second LED string and a second input coupled to thesecond output of the first regulation circuit and a first output coupledto the first resistor, said second regulation circuit including a seconddrive transistor coupled the first input of the second regulationcircuit, a third control circuit configured to generate a secondfeedback voltage as a function of the first feedback voltage and acurrent flowing through the second drive transistor and a fourth controlcircuit configured to control the second drive transistor as a functionof the second feedback voltage and the reference voltage; a referencecircuit configured to generate said reference voltage, the referencecircuit comprising: a voltage divider configured to generate a reducedvoltage as a function of a rectified a.c voltage; a peak-detectorcircuit configured to generate a peak voltage proportional to a peakvalue of said reduced voltage; and a multiplication circuit configuredto divide said reduced voltage by the peak voltage to generate saidreference voltage.
 27. The electronic circuit of claim 26, wherein saidfirst and second regulation circuits are configured in response to saidreference voltage being below a threshold such that the secondregulation circuit functions to regulate current flow through the secondLED string and said first regulation circuit is disabled, and furtherconfigured in response to said reference voltage being above saidthreshold such the first regulation circuit functions to regulatecurrent through the first and second LED strings and said secondregulation circuit is disabled.
 28. The electronic circuit of claim 26,wherein said reference voltage follows an a.c. supply voltage.
 29. Theelectronic circuit of claim 26, wherein said reference voltage is inphase with a rectified a.c. supply voltage. 30-31. (canceled)